Knitting machine attachment



Nov. 10, 1931.. c. w. MINTON ET AL KNITTING MACHINE ATTACHMENT Filed March '24. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheen l [hrence WM'nzw-b rvwa/s-fij rz'ce A ltomey Nov. 10, 1931. c. w. MINTON ETAL 7 1,831,129

KNITTING MACHINE ATTACHMENT Filed March'24.1930 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 I nvcnlor ,h ren/ce W M502 0 mamas fl Prz'c A llomcy Patented Nov. 10, 1931 Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARENCE WEBB MINTON THQMASHARRISON PRICE, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE ASSIGNORS OF ONE 'LlHIRD TO CLAUDE VERNON HINES, 0F NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE j KNITTING MACHINE ATTACHMENT Application filed. March 24:, 1930. Serial No. 438,420.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in knitting machines and more particularly to a device of this character which is in the nature of an attachment which is adapted to be. expeditiously mounted for operation on a knitting machine of the type which manufactures hosiery Without the necessity of materially altering the same. i

It may be further stated that the device is particularly adapted for use on the Banner hosiery knitting machine but it is to be understood that the same may be adapted for use on other knitting machines, the invention contemplating slight structural changes which may be necessary to adapt the same to various machines.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an attachment of the aforementioned character for hosiery knitting machines which will positively eliminate drop stitches or runs which frequently occur at the beginning of stockings when manufactured by the machines in widespread use at present.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a knitting machine attachment of the character described which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, eflicient in its use and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and stillfurther objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein V Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing the upper portion of a hosiery knitting machine with an attachment constructed in accordance with this invention mounted in operative position thereon.

Figure 2 is a view in top plan showing the arrangement of the cam constituting one of the elements of this invention associated with the sinkers, of the knitting machine.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the upper portion of the needle cylinder and the smker rings showing the cam forming a Figure 5 is a detail view in cross section a showing the sinkers moved all the way in for the purpose of making a tight stitch.

Figure 6 is a detail view in section showing the sinkers in normal knitting position. I Figure 7 is a detail view showing the man ner ofmounting the cam arm for rotation on the supporting post.

Figure 8 is a detail view in top plan of the attachment constituting this invention;

Figure 9 is a detail view inperspectiveof the bell crank lever which actuates the cam arm. 7

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the reference character 1 designates the supporting base through which is mounted in the usual manner the vertically disposed cylinder 2 upon which the latch needle 3 reciprocates vertically. The reference numeral at designates the inner sinker ring, 5 is the outer sinker ring and 6 designates the reverse plating sinkers of the type now in use on hosiery knitting machines. All ofthe foregoing is conventional and forms no partof this invention. I V I The attachment constituting this invention comprises a vertical post 7 having a reduced threadedshank 8 on its lower end for inser-' tion through the supporting base 1 and a nut 9 isthreaded on said shank for rigidly securingthe post in vertical position at-the' desired point on the base with respect to the cylinder 2. The" upper end of the post 7 terminates in a reduced neck 10 upon which is rotatably mounted a cross'head 11 having a transversely. extending recess in the intermediate portion of its upper side for the receps tion of the retaining screw 12 which is threaded intothe neck 10 to rotatably retainthe cross head thereon. j A horizontally disposed arm 13 is adjustablyse-cured on'the cross head ll'through the medium of the longitudinally extending slots -14and the screws and washers 15 the screws extending through said slots and are threaded into the opposite end portions of the cross head. At its free end the arm 13 terminates in a cam 16 which is adapted to be projected through a slot 17 which is cut in the adjacent periphery of the outer sinker ring 5 for engagement with the butts of said sinkers in a manner to shift the same inwardly in the positions clearly indicatedin Figures 4 and 5 of j the drawings. I

Adjacent its lower end the post 7 is provided on diametrically opposite sides with reduced flat portions 18 in one of which is pivotally mounted, as at 19, a bell crank lever 20 having a laterally offset upper end portion 21 adapted for engagement with the outer end portion of the cross head 11 in a manner to swing the arm 13 and thecam 16 into operative engagement with the sinkers when the bell crank lever is actuated; The opposite end of the bell crank lever 20. is pivotally connected, as at 22 to the usual cam block drum lever connection 23 for actuation thereby. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 8 0f the drawings a cylindricalblock 24 is rigidly mounted on the ends of the bell .crank lever 20 and is provided with a threaded bore for the reception of a connecting screw for securing said bell crank lever pivotally to the member 23.

The arm 13'is provided with an opening 25 for connecting one end of a coil spring (not shown) to said arm to yieldingly retain the same in inoperative position.

In use, a suitable cam is mounted on the drum which actuates the connection 23 and also a suitable protuberance or cam block is mounted at the correct point on the pattern chain of the knitting machine. When a new stocking is started, the arm 13 is swung inwardly in a manner to project the cam 16 through the slot 17 into engagement with'the butts of the sinkers- 6 and said sinkers are shifted to the position indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings in which position the looping is done on the uppermost or highest point of the sinkers and a large loop is formed to provide a loose knit for the first courses of the new stocking. The cam 16 is then swung further inwardly through the slot 17 in a manner to move the sinkers inwardly to'the position clearly illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings andin this position, as clearly seen, the looping is done on the rear portion ofthe sinkers and a very small loop is formed to provide a tight knit and it is thistight knit which effectively eliminates runs or drop stitches in the stocking. g g

It is believed that the many advantages'of a knitting machine attachment constructed in accordance with this invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. It is further to be understood that, though the device has been herein referred to as an attachment for knitting machines, the same may be built into or on the machine as an adherent part thereof at. the time said knitting machine is manufactured.

What is claimed is v 4 In combination, a knitting machine including a plurality of sinkers, and an outer sinker ring having a circumferentially extending slot therein, an upright mounted on the machine, a cross head pivoted to the upper end of the upright, an arm adjustably mounted on the cross head, a cam formed on the outer end ofv thearmfor passage. through the slot in a manner to engage the sinkers, a bell crank lever pivoted to the upright and having its upper end adapted to engage the cross head to move the same on itspivot and means for operating the bell crank from the cam drum of the machine.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

' CLARENCE WEBB MINTON.

THOMAS HARRISON. PRICE.

its 

